u/LesterHadACoconut

Hi everyone. I have a question or two that I’m hoping can be answered.

I herniated a disc in my lower back about a month ago. Around that time, I had to find a new primary care doctor because my previous doctor of seven years found a position elsewhere. I was able to find a new primary care doctor who wrote me a referral to pain management. The pain management doctor prescribed me 5 mg Percocet, once every 12 hours. An epidural steroid injection was scheduled and PT was ordered. I would say that the medication’s effectiveness lasts for a few hours and then I’m stuck waiting to take my medication at the 12 hour mark. I appreciate that the pain management doctor wrote me a prescription at my first visit, but the amount I’m able to take isn’t enough to get through the day semi comfortably. I’ve communicated this to him at my epidural injection, which took place a week ago. He’s not willing to increase the dosage. 8 days post injection, the sciatic pain has returned and the pain levels have reached a 6/10 in the middle of the night, waking me up. My Percocet prescription runs out at the end of this week. I have an appointment with my new primary care doctor this week and am wondering if they are able to write prescriptions for Norco even though I’ve been seen by pain management. Can this even legally happen? I understand that it looks suspicious, but I’m just trying to be able to make it through physical therapy, be a dad, a coach, a teacher, etc without the excruciating pain that comes with an extrusion herniated disc.

Hi all. A couple of weeks ago I had a preliminary drug screening at a pain management clinic for the first time. I have a pretty severe herniated disc and will be getting an epidural injection in a couple of days. Before my pain management appointment I was supplementing pain meds with a couple of grams of Kratom a day. I didn’t really think anything of it since it’s legal in my state. I had zero notification from the doctor about anything abnormal on my drug screening. I have abstained from using Kratom for a few days after reading that people can be dropped from pain clinics if they test positive. I have a few questions that I’m hoping some people can answer. If I was never contacted by the doctor after the drug screening and had taken a few grams earlier in the day, do you think that the test was not specified to detect kratom? Do you think that it is safe to use it for pain relief at this point if my injection is in a couple of days? I was prescribed an opioid from this doctor after the urine screening FYI.

Hi everyone. I am a happily married, 38 year old father of 2 children. They are a 4 year old girl and a 2 year old boy. For anybody in a similar scenario, have your energy levels plummeted since your second child was born? I’m a teacher with a month left of summer break, and I’m absolutely exhausted. Does anybody have tips that’s worked for them? Some days I just throw in the towel during my youngest’s nap time by watching a movie with my daughter. I can’t help but feel life I’m doing her a disservice but I’m so drained.

I just finished my 13th year. For 8 years, I taught 6-8 social studies everyday and had 3 total preps. For the last 5 years, I’ve only taught 6th and have had one prep. My second district is a far better district than my first was. I should feel more refreshed based on the amount of planning alone.

Over the past couple of months, I have been very surprised at how burnt out I feel. Not only is it me, but most of my colleagues look and sound completely fatigued. We’ve had an emotional year, but the level of exhaustion I’m seeing is alarming. I’m sending this message to see if this is an isolated situation. Or does everyone feel like this school year has been substantially more exhausting/draining than previous years?